"Phillip Morris" Is Jim Carrey's New Pal

Jim Carrey is set to star in a dark comedy titled "I Love You Phillip Morris", made based on a book by Houston Chronicle crime reporter Steve McVicker.

Strikes a balance between his serious and wacky acting stints, Jim Carrey is about to return to the comedy genre after his appearance in "The Number 23", only this time it will be a rather darker one.

Yes, the versatile actor will topline a dark comedy entitled "I Love You Phillip Morris", a fact-based film feature adapted from a book by Houston Chronicle crime reporter Steve McVicker which tells about a conman named Steven Russell whom Carrey is set to portray.

Russell, a married father whose exploits led him into imprisonment, fell madly in love with his cellmate as he underwent his jail sentence in Texas. This infatuation then drove him to make several prison escapes when the object of his affection eventually was set free.

Assigned to direct are first-time helmers Glenn Ficarra and John Requa who will carry out the duty from their own script with Andrew Lazar and Far Shariat both producing. A financing deal for the flick reportedly is about to close with Luc Besson's EuropaCorp.